Guangdong Administrative Divisions

Guangdong Province (Guangdong Province, 广东省), known as Yue (粤), is located in South China along the northern coast of the South China Sea. Its capital city is Guangzhou (Guangzhou, 广州). As one of China’s most developed provinces, Guangdong has a complete administrative system with 21 prefecture-level cities and 122 county-level administrative units, including districts, county-level cities, counties, and ethnic autonomous counties.

From a tourism perspective, Guangdong can be divided into four major regions according to geography, culture, and tourism resources: the Pearl River Delta urban region, Eastern Guangdong coastal cultural region, Western Guangdong marine tourism region, and Northern Guangdong mountain and ethnic culture region.

Each region has distinctive administrative characteristics and tourism themes, creating a diverse travel system that combines modern cities, ancient towns, mountains, islands, ethnic villages, historical sites, and cultural heritage.

Four Major Tourism Regions of Guangdong

Pearl River Delta Region | Modern Cities and Lingnan Culture

The Pearl River Delta includes Guangzhou (广州), Shenzhen (深圳), Foshan (佛山), Dongguan (东莞), Huizhou (惠州), Jiangmen (江门), Zhongshan (中山), Zhuhai (珠海), and Zhaoqing (肇庆). It is the most urbanized area in Guangdong, with dense transportation networks and abundant tourism facilities.

Most cities are organized mainly into urban districts, while Dongguan and Zhongshan are special prefecture-level cities directly managing towns and subdistricts. The region represents the core of Lingnan culture, combining ancient trade history, overseas Chinese culture, modern urban tourism, and leisure resorts.

Major attractions include Guangzhou’s historical districts, Guangzhou Chimelong Resort, Kaiping Diaolou and Villages, Xiqiao Mountain, Seven Star Crags, Lingnan gardens, hot spring resorts, and coastal leisure destinations.

Eastern Guangdong Region | Chaoshan Culture and Overseas Chinese Heritage

Eastern Guangdong mainly includes Shantou (汕头), Chaozhou (潮州), Jieyang (揭阳), and Shanwei (汕尾). The region features a mixture of coastal cities, counties, and island areas, including important island destinations such as Nan’ao County.

This region is famous for Chaoshan culture, maritime trade history, traditional architecture, food culture, and folk customs. Visitors can explore ancient towns, ancestral halls, traditional villages, and coastal landscapes.

Key tourism resources include Chaozhou Ancient City, Guangji Bridge, Paifang Street, Shantou Small Park Historic District, Nan’ao Island, coastal villages, and revolutionary heritage sites.

Western Guangdong Region | Coastal Landscapes and Maritime Culture

Western Guangdong consists mainly of Zhanjiang (湛江), Maoming (茂名), and Yangjiang (阳江). With a long coastline and extensive fishing villages, the region is an ideal destination for seaside holidays and self-driving tours.

The area combines Leizhou Peninsula culture, marine civilization, tropical landscapes, and coastal leisure tourism. It is known for beaches, islands, seafood, hot springs, and historical maritime sites.

Major attractions include Hailing Island, Romantic Coast, Naozhou Island, Xuwen Southernmost Village, Huguangyan Scenic Area, and ancient maritime Silk Road sites.

Northern Guangdong Region | Mountains, Ecology, and Ethnic Culture

Northern Guangdong includes Shaoguan (韶关), Qingyuan (清远), Heyuan (河源), Meizhou (梅州), and Yunfu (云浮). It is the largest ecological tourism area in Guangdong, featuring mountains, forests, rivers, caves, and traditional villages.

The region has a strong concentration of Hakka culture, Yao and Zhuang ethnic traditions, ecological landscapes, and historical heritage. Qingyuan is the largest prefecture-level city in Guangdong by area and includes ethnic autonomous counties such as Liannan and Lianshan, while Shaoguan includes Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County.

Major attractions include Danxia Mountain, Nanhua Temple, Liannan Millennium Yao Village, Lianzhou Underground River, Wanlv Lake, Hakka villages, terraces, forests, and hot spring resorts.

Administrative Divisions and Tourism Highlights of 21 Cities

Pearl River Delta Cities

Guangzhou (广州)

Guangzhou is the provincial capital and the cultural center of Guangdong. It administers 11 districts, including Yuexiu, Liwan, Haizhu, Tianhe, Baiyun, Huangpu, Panyu, Huadu, Nansha, Conghua, and Zengcheng.

As a historic trading city with over 2,000 years of development, Guangzhou combines Lingnan culture, maritime Silk Road heritage, modern urban attractions, and culinary traditions.

Top attractions include Nanyue King Museum, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Yongqing Fang, Shamian Island, Nanhai Temple, Baiyun Mountain, Conghua Hot Springs, Pearl River Night Cruise, and Guangzhou Chimelong Resort.

Shenzhen (深圳)

Shenzhen consists of nine districts, including Futian, Luohu, Nanshan, Yantian, Bao’an, Longgang, Longhua, Pingshan, and Guangming.

As a modern international city, Shenzhen focuses on urban tourism, technology experiences, theme parks, and coastal ecology.

Main attractions include Dapeng Peninsula, Dongxichong Coastline, Dameisha and Xiaomeisha Beaches, Window of the World, Happy Valley, Gankeng Ancient Town, and Mangrove Nature Reserves.

Foshan (佛山)

Foshan includes five districts: Chancheng, Nanhai, Shunde, Gaoming, and Sanshui.

Known as an important birthplace of Lingnan culture, Foshan is famous for martial arts, lion dance, ceramics, traditional architecture, and Cantonese cuisine.

Major attractions include Foshan Ancestral Temple, Nanfeng Ancient Kiln, Xiqiao Mountain, Qinghui Garden, Shunde food culture areas, and Lingnan Tiandi.

Dongguan (东莞)

Dongguan is a town-based prefecture-level city without county-level divisions. It is known for manufacturing, water towns, and ecological tourism.

Key attractions include Songshan Lake, Guanyin Mountain, Keyuan Garden, Huayang Lake Wetland, and Dongjiang Riverside Greenways.

Zhongshan (中山)

Zhongshan is another town-based city famous for the hometown culture of Sun Yat-sen and Lingnan waterfront landscapes.

Major attractions include Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence, Zhan Garden, Qijiang River Night Tour, and Changjiang Tourism Area.

Zhuhai (珠海)

Zhuhai administers Xiangzhou, Jinwan, and Doumen districts.

Known as a beautiful coastal city, Zhuhai offers island tourism, seaside leisure, and family attractions.

Main destinations include Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Lovers’ Road, Wailingding Island, New Yuanming Palace, and Doumen Old Town.

Jiangmen (江门)

Jiangmen includes three districts and four county-level cities: Pengjiang, Jianghai, Xinhui, Taishan, Kaiping, Heshan, and Enping.

As a famous overseas Chinese hometown, Jiangmen features unique architecture and cultural landscapes.

Major attractions include Kaiping Diaolou and Villages (World Heritage Site), Chikan Ancient Town, Gudou Hot Spring, Gu Lao Water Town, and Shangchuan Island.

Huizhou (惠州)

Huizhou administers Huicheng and Huiyang districts, as well as Boluo, Huidong, and Longmen counties.

It combines mountains, beaches, islands, and Hakka culture.

Popular attractions include Luofu Mountain, West Lake, Shuangyue Bay, Xunliao Bay, Nankun Mountain, and hot spring resorts.

Zhaoqing (肇庆)

Zhaoqing includes Duanzhou, Dinghu, Gaoyao districts, Sihui City, and several counties.

Known for natural landscapes and historical heritage, it offers attractions such as Seven Star Crags, Dinghu Mountain, Song Dynasty City Wall, Panlong Gorge, and Guangning Bamboo Forest.

Eastern Guangdong Cities

Shantou (汕头)

Shantou includes six districts and Nan’ao County. It is the cultural center of Chaoshan cuisine and overseas Chinese heritage.

Major attractions include Nan’ao Island, Small Park Historic District, Chen Cihong Former Residence, Queshi Scenic Area, and Lotus Peak.

Chaozhou (潮州)

Chaozhou includes Xiangqiao and Chao’an districts and Raoping County.

The city preserves traditional Chaoshan culture through ancient architecture, handicrafts, tea culture, and folk customs.

Main attractions include Chaozhou Ancient City, Guangji Bridge, Paifang Street, Kaiyuan Temple, Longhu Ancient Village, and Phoenix Mountain Tea Area.

Jieyang (揭阳)

Jieyang includes Rongcheng and Jiedong districts, Puning City, Jiexi and Huilai counties.

Tourism highlights include Huangmanzhai Waterfall, De’anli Ancient Village, Jieyang Tower, traditional villages, and coastal scenery.

Shanwei (汕尾)

Shanwei includes urban districts, Lufeng City, Haifeng and Luhe counties.

The city is known for coastal scenery and revolutionary history.

Main attractions include Red Bay, Zhelang Peninsula, Xuanwu Mountain, Peng Pai Former Residence, and hot spring resorts.

Western Guangdong Cities

Zhanjiang (湛江)

Zhanjiang includes four districts, three county-level cities, and two counties.

It is the gateway of the Leizhou Peninsula and famous for marine culture.

Highlights include Xuwen Southernmost Village, Naozhou Island, Huguangyan, Leizu Temple, Dinglong Bay, and ancient maritime Silk Road sites.

Maoming (茂名)

Maoming includes two districts and three county-level cities.

Known for fruit agriculture, coastal tourism, and historical culture.

Main attractions include Romantic Coast, Gaozhou cultural sites, Xinyi Tianma Mountain, and lychee countryside landscapes.

Yangjiang (阳江)

Yangjiang includes two districts, one county-level city, and one county.

It is a popular seaside destination with beaches and islands.

Main attractions include Hailing Island, Dajiao Bay, Mabi Island, Lingxiao Cave, and Chunwan Stone Forest.

Northern Guangdong Cities

Shaoguan (韶关)

Shaoguan includes three districts, two county-level cities, four counties, and Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County.

It is famous for mountain landscapes, Buddhism, and ethnic culture.

Highlights include Danxia Mountain, Nanhua Temple, Zhuji Ancient Alley, Meiguan Ancient Trail, Yunmen Mountain, and Nanling National Forest Park.

Qingyuan (清远)

Qingyuan is the largest prefecture-level city in Guangdong by area and includes ethnic autonomous counties such as Liannan and Lianshan.

Tourism resources include Liannan Millennium Yao Village, Lianzhou Underground River, Yingxi Peak Forest, hot springs, Oujia Terraces, and mountain valleys.

Heyuan (河源)

Heyuan includes Yuancheng District and five counties.

Known for ecological tourism, it features Wanlv Lake, Hakka villages, dinosaur museums, and hot spring resorts.

Meizhou (梅州)

Meizhou is the heartland of Hakka culture.

Main attractions include China Hakka Museum, Yannanfei Tea Plantation, Kejia World, Ye Jianying Memorial Park, Wuzhishi Scenic Area, and Fengshun Hot Springs.

Yunfu (云浮)

Yunfu includes two districts, one county-level city, and two counties.

It is known for Zen culture, stone carving, and countryside tourism.

Main attractions include Liuzu Hometown Tourism Area, Xinxing Hot Springs, Luoding Windmill Mountain, and traditional villages.

Guangdong Administrative Division and Tourism Summary Table

Guangdong Administrative Divisions

All of these administrative divisions are explained in greater detail at political divisions of China. This chart lists all prefecture-level and county-level divisions of Guangdong.

Prefecture level(Division code) County LevelName Chinese Hanyu Pinyin Division code[1]